What is a Service Call Fee and How Does it Affect Me?
When hunting for a HVAC contractor, you may have stumbled across the term “service call fee.” Also known as a “trip charge,” this fee is the amount an HVAC company charges for sending a technician to your home when your heating or cooling seems to be acting up.
Why Do HVAC Companies Have a Service Call Fee?
A service call fee includes the cost of traveling to your home. After all, this takes time, consumes fuel, and results in wear and tear on the company vehicle. Don’t forget that service call fees don’t often cover parts and labour if you opt for a repair or replacement.
How Much is a Service Call Fee?
Every HVAC company determines how much to charge for a service call. Some technicians charge a standard or flat rate for each service call, while others raise the cost if the customer is someplace outside the usual service radius. The particular cost varies by market and company, but you can expect an average trip charge to be anywhere from $79 to $129.
Who Covers the Service Call Fee?
If you schedule a service call, you will need to pay the trip charge regardless of what step you take next. For example, you might prefer to accept the technician’s recommended repair or replacement, depending on which choice is more cost effective.
You are free to collect several job estimates from trusted HVAC companies—just be aware that you could end up paying a trip charge for all these visits. Even if you take no action after the initial service call, you will still owe the technician a fee for coming to your home and completing diagnostics.
How Can I Steer Clear of Paying a Service Call Fee?
A smart way to minimize trip charges is to participate in an HVAC membership from A1 Chesney Service Experts. All four of our memberships include a waived service call fee, and so we’ll come to your home and check your HVAC system for free.
Other money-saving benefits of an HVAC maintenance membership include:
- No overtime charges
- 15% savings on repairs
- 15% savings on indoor air quality products
- And much more
If your furnace or air conditioner is malfunctioning, or you’re considering an affordable HVAC maintenance plan, A1 Chesney Service Experts is ready to help. We charge some of the most affordable service call fees to get your HVAC repair or replacement off to a good start. We are also eager to help our customers save money on emergency repairs, replacements and maintenance with valuable offers on our website. If you’re hoping to enjoy savings and peace of mind while boosting efficiency and home comfort, give us a call at 587-315-5271 today!
